@murph929: If you're not going to use it on a regular basis, you can use some Sta-bil or drain the fuel and run it until the carb is dry, then use fogging oil in the spark plug hole to prevent rust. Google how to winterize a 2-stroke motor for more details.

16" is the perfect size for homeowner duties - but don't know anything about this brand of saw - they do make a pretty good TV -
perhaps you could get a rush shipping in time for Thursday's turkey carving

@murph929: The size is fine for most cutting, but I prefer to use a 16" electric chainsaw, because there's no such thing as a "clean" two-stroke engine, and the electric saw never fails to start. The lubricating oil gets burned with the gas, and produces oily smoke. Saws used only occasionally tend to have the fuel go 'stale" and gum the carb up. If you have an outdoor outlet and just want a saw for household use, consider an electric.

@tesla33: I'm more thinking for occasional use, but more importantly to have in case of disasters. Since a tornado or an early blizzard could also mean no power, I think gas might be the way to go. I'm guessing there's a way to properly store for long periods of time without causing too much damage?

@murph929: If you're not going to use it on a regular basis, you can use some Sta-bil or drain the fuel and run it until the carb is dry, then use fogging oil in the spark plug hole to prevent rust. Google how to winterize a 2-stroke motor for more details.

16" is a great size. You need to consider what you are cutting. I've had my Stihl 16" for 16 years and love it. Gas is the best way to go. Buy some "stabil" or other brand of gas saver and drain the tank once a year if you have not used it. 2 stroke Oil comes pre measured for 1 gallon cans. Super easy. Yes, electric has its place, but when there isn't electric... Plus the weight of the gas engine helps you cut downward. Don't know anything about Hitachi engines. I have a bulb primer on my weed eater, not on my chain saw. So, I would make sure you can get the engine serviced just in case. The chain and bar are available almost anywhere there are chainsaws. I have cut trees, firewood, shrubs, almost anything woody.

I have a 16" Hitachi, perhaps this model, not definitely, but mine is an absolute bastard to get running. Once it's going, you're golden, but it will wear you out starting it to the point where you just want to head back to the couch to saw wood indoors. For a single cut, a hand saw would seriously be less effort. I've used mine a half dozen times and never once got it running in under ten minutes. The first time, I was sure it was a dud, but after an hour or so's effort with my brother coaching over the phone, it finally caught. He said he'd never heard of my kind of trouble with a 2-cycle engine, but the internet all agreed when he searched MY model number: Hard to start. It is what it is. Caveat Emptor.

Husband needs a new one. His 10 year old, excellent quality which I can't recall the name of, has been fixed 5 times in the past year. Then he winds up fixing what they calim to have done. Ridiculous. Not sure about the quality of Hitachi, off to do some surfing before I decide.

Hm, would this be a good way to dispatch a crappy upright piano that could otherwise exit only by mauling the plaster walls of a tight and twisty staircase? Alternative ideas (not involving explosives) welcome!

@chupas: I read through the same reviews you apparently did. Rare I've seen that many 1 star reviews on Amazon. I'm going to wait and get my husband something better constructed. I would rather pay several $100s moree and get a good chainsaw. It's our 25th anniversary so I'm getting him a few tools and 2nd tool box also He doesn't like electric so that suggestion by another post is out too. Thanks for all the suggestions.

For homeowners with casual chain sawing needs -- Hire a tree man for a little more than this. Serious safety issues with chain saws, they are not for the occasional user.

I know two people hurt by chain saws. One had a humbling trip to ER, the other one died.

I had a tree guy come out to my place. I drank beer while I watched him scale the trees with ropes the way I never could have, prune them good, and took away the dead wood. For $300. Probably the best $300 I ever spent.

I can' t think of a worse scenario than dragging around a corded electric chain saw if you are doing any kind of serious cutting. As far as chain saws go get a Sthil, have had on for years, still cuts like new. To the lady looking to buy one for hubby, also get an extra chain when you get it and some good bar oil as well as quality two cycle oil for the gas. Nothing irritates me more than cheap tools, especially power tools that use gas. The new models of Sthil's are "tool less". No tools needed to change or adjust the chain, and they also have a version that is "easy start"? Not sure exactly their term for it, but you pull the starter rope and there is a slight delay and then it turns the engine over, works great, but read the instructions, as if you leave it on choke too many pulls it won't start, (floods)if you do per instructions it works fantastic. Sound like you are willing to spend the bucks to get him something nice, PLEASE do, he will appreciate it!

Not a bad deal on a good saw. The real problem is the gasoline. I've been using chainsaws for over 50 years and after ethanol was added to our fuel, these small engines clog at the drop of a tree limb. I wrote to my representatives to beg for ethanol-free fuel for this purpose. One of the comments was about a different product that quit after a couple of uses. I'll bet it was using fuel that contained ethanol. I now have to completely disassemble the carbs on these engines to rid them of the clogs only to have them clog again in just a few months. So sad.

I heat my home with wood and I use a 16 inch Stihl to cut wood for that. So a 16 inch saw will be big enough for most purposes. The saw I have runs $319 to $359, so this is quite a deal on that level but I have never used this brand. Those commenting how dangerous a saw can be are correct. It is one of the more dangerous tools you have in your garage. Whether you juggle it or not.

This would be waaaay handy after a storm... That's when all the "tree guys" have doubled their prices, and have more work than they'll ever get around to because the home insurance policies pay them well. And, if you can get to Home Depot, you'll find all their rentals have been taken.

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